and Juntos Sanamos program which promotes socioemotional development among young people
Jeshua González, Youth of the Year of Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico (BGCPR), stood out among 50 nominees worldwide, receiving the 2023 Youth of the Year Award from the World Federation of Youth Clubs (WFYC) during the virtual annual celebration of their Promise Awards. The honor highlights the vision, tenacity, and perseverance of a participant who empowers his peers and Club participants, promotes positive changes in his environment and community, serving as an example for other youth around the world. As part of the recognition, the recipient will receive a $2,000 donation for their post-secondary studies, in Jeshua’s case, aspiring to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Communications.
Additionally, BGCPR’s Juntos Sanamos program received an Honorable Mention in the Program of the Year Award category. The recognition honors programs that impact and make a profound difference in addressing critical issues, achieving significant results that improve the quality of life for children and youth in the communities they serve. The mention comes with a $500 donation to support the program.
“For the more than 12,000 participants we impact annually and our team of over 300 professionals committed to the development and education of children and youth from our 18 service centers from Mayagüez to Vieques, both recognitions have special meaning because they celebrate the ability our children and youth have to overcome any circumstance, absorb knowledge, and take advantage of the integral development opportunities we offer through our services, programs, and educational and socio-emotional development experiences,” said Olga Ramos Carrasquillo, President of BGCPR.
She added, “In the case of our Juntos Sanamos program, implemented in 2020, and serving about 190 participants with a 100% retention rate and 98% satisfaction, we seek to strengthen emotional security and personal efficacy in them to reduce the adverse effects of trauma caused by experiences of violence, as well as decrease the need for long-term trauma sequelae care. Using the methodology of
artistic expressions and guided dialogues to heal these adverse experiences, trained personnel from Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico and the Institute of Psychotraumatology of Puerto Rico facilitate group sessions, workshops, meetings, and processes to channeling their needs. At this point, thanks to the program, we have achieved that 100% of the participants identify and understand the symptoms or effects of violence, as well as promoting and developing healthy emotions management strategies in over 90%.”
The virtual Promise Awards event featured the participation of renowned Hollywood actor Beau Bridges, a member of the WFYC board of directors; Kirk Dominick, President and CEO of WFYC, along with veteran journalist Susan Porcaro Goings, co-founder and president of the WFYC board of directors.
To learn more about BGCPR, look for them on social media as Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico in Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn; as BGCPR in Instagram and Twitter, or access: bgcpr.org.